How confident are Belizean consumers in the general economic conditions of the country? It’s a question that the Statistical Institute of Belize sought to answer by collecting information that measures consumers’ sentiments regarding their household’s own economic situation, making major household spending, as well as general economic conditions. The consumer confidence index stood at forty-five-point four percent in July 2024. The index is comprised of three components, including perceptions about how present macroeconomic conditions and the household’s financial situation compare to twelve months prior. It also looks at expectations about economic conditions, as well as the household’s financial situation over the coming twelve months. Thirdly, it looks at whether the present is a good time for making major purchases of durable goods such as homes, cars, furniture, and appliances. Elsewhere, the S.I.B. also indicated that consumer prices are up three-point-eight percent in July 2024, impacting food, restaurant services, home rental costs and liquefied petroleum gas. Increases were observed in nearly all major categories of goods and services, except for information and communications. Meanwhile, the External Trade Bulletin indicates that imports were up four-point-six percent, while domestic exports were up one hundred and twelve percent in July 2024.
Tag: 2024-08-29
Taskforce Established to Address Deforestation in Manatee Forest Reserve
At the start of August, News Five did an extensive report on increasing deforestation along the Maya Forest Corridor, as well as the Manatee Reserve. The Government of Belize has formed a temporary taskforce to investigate the matter. The reserve runs parallel to the Coastal Plain Highway. We found out that a substantial amount of forest lands is being cleared primarily for agricultural purposes. We also learned that these land clearings are posing a significant threat to wildlife that traverse the area. A G.O.B. release says that the temporary taskforce includes government stakeholders and at least seven NGOs. The taskforce is charged with reviewing legislation and regulations concerning Belize’s forest reserves considering global conservation standards, best practices and sustainability. The release notes that the taskforce will make recommendations on amendments to legislation and regulations, boundaries for existing forest reserves, among other things. The most urgent issues that the taskforce will address are illegal squatting, farming, animal rearing and logging within forest reserves, specifically the Manatee Forest Reserve. The release also says that these illegal and unauthorized activities have caused soil degradation and deforestation that contributed to recent floods affecting the Coastal Plain Highway in the Belize and Stann Creek districts.
An Online Platform for Education on Belize’s Legacy
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology has launched an online platform that brings Belize’s ever-evolving history at your fingertips. Access 501 features fifteen categories of Belize’s rich heritage, ranging from reading material to technology, music, cultural videos and the environment. It is described as a revolutionary tool for everything Belize, inside and outside the classroom. A launch ceremony was held in Belize City. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology launched its Access 501 online platform today. Carlos Quiroz is the coordinator at 501 Academy and the visionary behind the new platform.
Carlos Quiroz, Coordinator, 501 Academy
“A young Froyla Tzalam around 2010 wrote a book, the people who carved Jade and their descendants. Now we can say, we are children of the people that carved Jade and wrote book. Never underestimate words. In August of 1969, a young Evan X published a string of words titled the Rockville Generation. Fifty-five years later and hundreds of thousands of words later, that is as hard as Jade in our social imagination, formed under intense heat and pressure, pressure, pressure, pressure. Then there is Leroy the Grand Master Young constantly translating for us the realities of our 501 as he sees it playing out. Access 501 is them, the people I just listed and many more. It is them; they are us. It is a project to harness energy, 501 energy. It is an attempt to provide access to every Belizean to the raw material for our imagination.”
The online multimedia platform provides a wealth of resources that delves into information about Belize’s past and present in fifteen categories. These categories range from technology to the environment, music, cultural videos and more. Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Education, Dian Maheia, spoke to the importance of the platform to education in Belize.
Dian Maheia, C.E.O., Ministry of Education
“Access 501 is a tool. It is a tool. The same way your pen is a tool, your keyboard is a tool, or a hammer is a tool. A tool is latent action. It does nothing unless you do something with it. It is a potential for learning, and it is a potential for lessons. The hope is that once this goes live and you all leave here, you will recognize this for the tool that it is and you will be willing to use this tool, because you don’t need a special skillset for it. With Access 501 anybody can use this. It is also an answer. It answers the questions of teachers who don’t know where to find material. It answers the questions of teacher, educators, students, parents, of people who say I don’t even know where to look. I don’t have books. Where can I find this. How can I find this.”
Minister of Education, Francis Fonesca was also present at today’s launch. He announced the creation of a People’s Digital Archives, led by the establishment of this Access 501 platform.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
“This project isn’t just about honoring our past. It is about shaping our future. Today we are thrilled to announce that Access 501 will spearhead the creation of the People’s Digital Archives. This initiative will open a door for our citizens to share their personal stories, contribute ideas to our national builders’ section and engage in the rich tapestry of what it means to be and become Belizean. This isn’t merely an archive. It is a living, breathing, collection of our collective journey and aspirations. Access 501 is a vaccine to fight fire, hurricane, but also to fight growing disconnect. If we don’t internalize this, others will take its value.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Mother’s Battle Inspires Daughter to Become Cancer Advocate
A Belize City woman is hosting a musical event this weekend at the Bird’s Isle to raise funds for cancer patients. Letesha Tate recently found out that her mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer. This has motivated her to organize an event for Saturday night called Punta Rama that will feature a host of Punta rock bands and a line up of DJs. Tickets are going for twenty dollars. Tate says the funds will go to her mother’s medical bills, as well as other cancer patients in need at the K.H.M.H. We spoke with her about the upcoming event.
Letesha Tate, Organizer, Puntarama Night
“I am trying to do this for cancer patients because my aunt died of the same breast cancer that my mom has. So I am trying to be an advocate for cancer patients. I am trying to make this a yearly thing. Many people don’t have the finance to have treatment and go to radiation and it is a mental and physical going with cancer, because you know when you are fighting cancer your mobility is lost and financial burden is one of, part of it. So, I am just trying to do it yearly to lessen the financial burden on other cancer patients also. With this event just know it will be a night to remember. We are having Ugundani Band which is a band everyone knows. She used to, well me and my mom use to partake in Ugundani, dancing, partaking in events in Mexico with NICH also. We also have Lovelace from Hopkins that supports my mom also. Henry Moguel which is a new singer coming along in the Garifuna industry. We have Darvin which is the DJ and his accomplice. We have Black Ice Sounds which is a new sounds coming out. It is much younger people coming form the ground participating because my mom use to teach young children Garifuna music, teaching hostel kids how to cope with music. So, all the kids she did is putting back to her. The proceed from these events will go towards my mom surgery and radiation cost. If we have some left over I am going to the KHMH cancer place and they are going to choose who has the least finance and give the rest to them.”
Belize Enhances Financial Stability with New Committee Agreement
Belize strengthens its financial resilience with a new financial stability committee. The Central Bank of Belize (CBB), the Office of the Supervisor of Insurance and Private Pensions (OSIPP), and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The MOU establishes a Financial Stability Committee to align policies and ensure consolidated supervision across sectors including banking, insurance, and pensions.
Chair of the Financial Stability Committee, Governor Michael, emphasised the need for collaboration: “It is of the utmost importance that we strengthen stakeholder collaboration to achieve the benefits of coordinated and proactive supervision.”
The three agencies are committed to maintaining a stable and resilient financial environment in Belize.
John Saldivar: “I HAVE NOT RESIGNED”
John Saldivars has declared “I HAVE NOT RESIGNED” to the claims of his “constructive resignation” from the United Democratic Party (UDP).
In a Facebook post, the UDP’s Belmopan Standard Bearer criticised the party’s Central Executive Committee for declaring him and three other members—Tracy Panton, Patrick Faber, and Beverly Williams—as resigned due to alleged violations of the party’s constitution.
Saldivar defended his stance by stating that he respects Party Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow and has supported his leadership. He said that the Party Constitution permits him to petition for a recall of Barrow, a right he insists is being unfairly challenged.
“All of a sudden, because we have petitioned for a leadership convention and a recall convention, and because we have been pointing out the many violations against our Party Constitution removing and appointing Standard Bearers unconstitutionally, we have become members of a fringe party and are deemed to have constructively resigned,” Saldivar said.
The party’s decision to label Saldivar and others as “constructively resigned” follows Panton and Williams’ petition on Tuesday to recall Barrow, which was rejected by Chairman Michael Peyrefitte.
New Programme Distributes 200 Composting Bins Across Belize
Home composting is set to take a significant leap in Belize as the Recycle Organics (RO) programme distributes 200 composting kits across the country. Supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the initiative began on August 26 and aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions from waste by promoting sustainable waste management practices.
The launch was announced at the Department of the Environment in Belmopan, where local authorities and community leaders were introduced to the new programme. The Recycle Organics team will visit Belmopan, San Ignacio, Santa Elena, Corozal, and San Pedro to distribute the composting bins and conduct training sessions on their use.
Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, stated, “Home composting is a cost-effective method that allows families and communities to reduce waste sent to landfills, cutting methane emissions. Canada commends Belize for its leadership in this area.”
The programme supports Belize’s National Solid Waste Management Policy and the Global Methane Pledge, which seeks to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Dr. Kenrick Williams of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change remarked, “Belize is honored to collaborate with Canada in our shared commitment to combating climate change.”
Additionally, the programme will offer technical support for local organic waste management plans and foster collaboration among stakeholders.
Rev. David Goff Gives Up on UDP Mediation
The mediation team assigned to resolve the conflict between the United Democratic Party (UPD) and the Alliance for Democracy has decided to suspend its activities. This decision follows the parties failure to agree on a compromise.
According to an official statement, the UDP, led by Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow, and the Alliance for Democracy, led by Tracy Panton, have only held a single meeting with the mediation team.
In the statement, Reverend David Goff, who is representing the mediation team, said, “Given the importance of an effective and united Opposition Party to the proper functioning of our democratic system, we readily agreed to undertake the mediation effort. To date, we have held one meeting with each of the two groups.”
Goff continued, “Effective mediation is contingent on the parties’ willingness to compromise. We do not feel that that factor exists at present.”
The mediation team, which also included Bishop Clare, Laura Longsworth, Aldo Salazar, and Lindsay Garbut, has formally announced its withdrawal from the mediation process, stating, “We therefore hereby inform you that by means of this correspondence, we are formally suspending our participation in the mediation process.”
Digi Donates $50,000 Towards Belize’s Independence Celebrations
The Belize National Celebrations Commission received a $50,000 donation from the Digi team for the upcoming independence celebrations. The announcement was made this morning on Digi’s official Facebook page.
Belize will celebrate its forty-third year of independence this September, with activities set to begin next week. Digi stated, “The funds provided will support the various activities, bringing communities together to honor the nation’s achievements and look forward to a bright future.” The company also encouraged the Belizean community to take part in the patriotic events.
Digi added, “As a company rooted in Belizean soil, Digi looks forward to seeing communities come alive with the colors, sound, and spirit of independence.”
Belize Modernises Criminal Justice System
Belize’s efforts to modernise its Criminal Justice System takes a step forward with a ‘first of its kind’ conference on Criminal Justice Reform from September 2nd to September 6th, 2024, in Belize City.
The Conference, hosted by the Senior Courts of Belize Judicial Education Institute, is titled “Advancing the Caribbean Court of Justice Academy for Law Needham’s Point Declaration.” The five-day event will focus on implementing the Needham’s Point Declaration and addressing backlog issues in the criminal justice system.
The Needham’s Point Declaration covers key areas related to criminal justice reform, including policy and legislative interventions, prosecution, police representation for the accused victims’ rights, and judicial interventions. The declaration emphasises the need for swift justice for the guilty and protection of the innocent.
According to an official statement, the event will bring together judges, magistrates, crown counsel, defence counsel, police prosecutors, forensic analysts, and other stakeholders.